High school sweethearts Billy and Denielle Dunn were promised a Christmas baby - and they got one when their first child Cree came into the world on Christmas morning.

The newlyweds knew December 25 was the due date for their baby's arrival, and so made no plans other than preparing for the birth of their little bundle of joy.

And Baby Cree India San?a Dunn did not disappoint them when she was born at 11.29 a.m. after eight hours of labour.

Bermuda's only Christmas baby for 2002 weighed a healthy seven pounds one ounce, and was born after eight hours of labour.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, who met when they were Bermuda Institute students, said: "It was a day of blessings."

Little Cree slept peacefully on her father's chest yesterday afternoon as he said: "She is my little girl," before adding: "She is our little girl!"

The couple said Cree's first ultrasound showed she was due on December 27, but a second one showed the baby would be due on December 25.

Mrs. Dunn, 26, said she felt the baby's weight shift a few days before Christmas. On Tuesday night, the couple went for a walk and retired to bed early only to be awakened a few hours later by the first stages of labour.

They were admitted into King Edward VII Memorial Hospital at 3.30 a.m., and baby arrived just in time for Christmas lunch.

The couple said they would like to have another child when Cree is around two years old. They are hoping for one or two more children, but in the meantime, they are happy simply to enjoy their new addition.

And the couple plan to have their Christmas celebrations after they get home on Saturday.

Mr. Dunn, 28, a computer technician at said: "So far, lots of family members have come by to bring us Christmas gifts, but we haven't opened any yet - we have been too tired."